Shadwell gelding blew away the cobwebs to prevail in Rose of Lancaster at Haydock.
Connections are set to chart a course for Anmaat following his successful return in the Rose of Lancaster at Haydock. The gelding, owned by Shadwell, has demonstrated significant talent throughout his career, advancing through a series of prestigious handicaps before securing his first Group Three victory in the 2022 edition of the aforementioned race at Haydock.
He quickly ascended to Group Two status, concluding that season on a high note by winning the Prix Dollar at ParisLongchamp, showcasing his capability to handle challenging ground conditions.
In 2023, Anmaat finished just behind Derby champion Adayar when he resumed competition in the Gordon Richards Stakes. Subsequently, he achieved a milestone by winning the Group One Prix d'Ispahan in May.
That race marked his final appearance of 2023, followed by a lengthy absence of 439 days from the track due to injury, which kept him sidelined until his recent return over the weekend. In the Rose of Lancaster, he was the 8-11 favorite under the guidance of Jim Crowley and successfully shook off the effects of his layoff, winning by a neck against Jack Channon's Certain Lad.
"He appears to be in good condition after Saturday, which was our primary concern—that he emerged from the race well," stated Burrows. "It was very gratifying to see him back in action, and for him to secure a victory was wonderful. "I had tentatively considered the race that Alflaila won at York (the York Stakes) for him, but that would have come just a bit too soon."
He had previously secured the Rose of Lancaster, and with Alflaila triumphing in the York race, the situation has unfolded ideally. Burrows anticipates that Anmaat will improve from his performance at Haydock and will assess his progress in the upcoming weeks before finalizing plans for his next race.
"He had a run last year, finishing second to Adayar in the rescheduled Gordon Richards, which marked a significant advancement in his development," he stated. "I am hopeful that he will exhibit similar progress this time; we were fortunate that Adayar was not in the race, and we managed to perform well enough to succeed.
"The initial race was quite challenging. He holds an entry for the Irish Champion Stakes, although that may come too soon, and we might prefer not to enter him directly into such a high-stakes event. "He also has an entry for the British Champion Stakes. He has demonstrated his ability to handle soft ground, so we will allow some time to pass. I will consult with (owner) Sheikha Hissa, Angus (Gold), and Richard (Hills) to devise a suitable plan."
